Dew

Dew walks off with governor’s car.

News and Observer (Raleigh, N.C.), __ April 1946.

Wilson Daily Times, 9 April 1946.

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In the 1930 census of Springhill township, Wilson County: Mallie Dew, 28, farmer; wife Bettie, 28, laundress; and sons Mallie L., 8, Earl, 7, and Grover, 5.

In the 1940 census of Springhill township, Wilson County: Mallie Dew, 38, farm laborer; wife Bettie, 37, laundress; sons Mallie, 20, Earl, 18, Grover, 15, and Bobbie Ray, 2.

In 1943, Earl Dew registered for the World War II in Wilson County. Per his registration card, he was born 25 November 1922 in Black Creek, Wilson County; lived at Route 3, Kenly, Wilson County; his contact was mother Bettie Dew; and he “worked” at Prison Camp #401, Bunn, Franklin County, N.C.

Richmond News-Leader, 28 February 1946.

Earl Dew died 28 December 1948 at Mercy Hospital, Wilson, of an accidental gunshot wound to the abdomen. Per his death certificate, he was born 25 November 1929 in Wilson to Mallie Dew and Bettie Mitchell; worked as a farmer; was single; lived at Route 1, Sims; and was buried in the Dew Cemetery.

The last will and testament of Needham Dew, alias Cornelius D. Dew.

Needham Dew executed his will on 11 June 1938. His wife Maggie Dew was to receive a life estate in all his real property in Wilmington, North Carolina, which would pass to his son Joseph Dew and Joseph’s son J.C. Dew after Maggie Dew’s death. He also gave ten dollars each to Grady Dew, Martha Thompson, Luvenia Mack, Cornelius Dew, Mary Dew, and David Dew.

 

James Watson and D.C. Yancey witnessed Needham Dew’s signature. (Oddly, Yancey also notarized the document.)

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In the 1870 census of Wilson township, Wilson County: Alford Due, 26; wife Susan, 23; and children Jack, 6, Redick, 4, and “no name,” 1 month; plus Oliver Due, 48, Amos Barnes, 23, and Anna Due, 19.

In the 1880 census of Wilson township, Wilson County: farmer Alford Dew, 39; wife Louiza, 35; mother Olivia, 60, widow; and children Jackson, 18, Redick, 16, and George, 15, Needham, 12, and Martha, 10; and niece Hatta, 4. [George was likely George W. White, Louisa’s son from prior relationship.]

On 17 January 1894, C.D. Dew, 24, of Wilson County, son of Alfred and Susan Dew, married Cora Wells, 18, of Wilson County, daughter of Jason and Ellen Wells, at Jason Wells’ residence in Cross Roads township, Wilson County. [Needham Dew also used the name Cornelius D. Dew.]

In the 1900 census of Cross Roads township, Wilson County:

In the 1910 census of Cross Roads township, Wilson County: farmer Cornelius D. Dew, 40; wife Cora, 33; and children Rederick, 15, Joseph, 10, Martha, 9, Graddie, 7, Ovenia, 3, and Lee C., 3 months.

Johnnie Dew died 5 May 1914 in Lucama, Cross Roads township, Wilson County. Per his death certificate, he was born 13 December 1913 in Lucama to Needham Dew and Cora Wells. Needham Dew was informant.

In the 1920 census of Cross Roads township, Wilson County: farmer Cornelius D. Dew, 52; wife Cora, 39; and children Reddick D., 25, Joseph, 19, Martha L., 16, Grady, 15, Ovena, 14, Lee C., 10, David H., 5, and Mary N., 1.

Cora Dew died 26 April 1925 in Lucama, Cross Roads township, Wilson County. Per her death certificate, she was 4o years old; was married; and was born in Nash County, N.C., to Jaciin Hill and Ellen Taylor. C.D. Dew was informant.

Cornelius Dew Jr. died 24 July 1926 in Lucama, Cross Roads township, Wilson County. Per his death certificate, he was 17 years old; was born in Wilson County to Cornelius Dew and Cora Wells; worked as farmer; and was buried in Lamm Cemetery. [Why was Cornelius included in his father’s 1938 will?]

Martha Thompson died 6 May 1929 in Lucama, Cross Roads township, Wilson County. Per her death certificate, she was 25 years old; was born in Wilson County to C.D. Dew and Cora Wells; was married to Walter Thompson; and was buried in Lamms Cemetery. [Same question. Why is Martha included in her father’s 1938 will? Perhaps this was an updated version to add the two grandchildren, but Needham Dew neglected to remove his deceased children? The absence of youngest son Needham Edward Dew also suggests this document was based on an older draft.]

In the 1930 census of Lucama, Cross Roads township, Wilson County: farmer Cornelius Dew, 57, widower; children Mary, 12, and Needham E., 9; and lodger Edd Hamilton, 23.

In the 1940 census of Lucama, Cross Roads township, Wilson County: farmer Needham Dew, 70; wife Maggie, 51; and granddaughter Mary R. Miles, 8.

In 1940, David Hiawatha Dew registered for the World War II draft in Johnston County, N.C. Per his registration card, he was born 30 March 1914 in Lucama, N.C.; resided on Harrison Street, Smithfield, Johnston County; his contact was Cornelius D. Dew, Lucama; and he worked for Main Street Dry Cleaners, Market Street, Smithfield.

“Cornelius Dew (nick name) Needham Dew” died 30 July 1944 in Cross Roads township, Wilson County. Per his death certificate, he was born 1 May 1881 in Wilson to Albert [sic] Dew and Susian [maiden name unknown]; was married to Maggie Dew; and worked as a farmer.

Pool hiding out at Anderson Dew’s?

The Farmer & Mechanic (Raleigh, N.C.), 1 August 1911.

Was Caesar Wooten the same Caesar Wooten who eluded authorities for years after murdering Mittie Strickland at the Green Street railroad tracks?

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  • Anderson Dew 

Anderson Dew had an eventful 1911.

On 15 August 1908, Anderson Dew, 35, son of Amos and Ruth Dew, married Dora Finch, 32, daughter of Bennett and Annie Finch, in Wilson.

In the 1910 census of Wilson township, Wilson County: on Raleigh Road, planing mill laborer Anderson Dew, 34; wife Dora, 24; and daughter Ardella, 10 months.

Anderson Dew died 16 October 1917 in Goldsboro, Fork township, Wayne County, N.C. Per his death certificate, he was 41 years old; was married; worked as a laborer; and his usual residence was Wilson. He was buried at the State Hospital, Goldsboro.

Snaps, no. 110: Maggie Lucas Dew and daughter Aleazer.

Maggie and Aleazer Dew, circa 1940.

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In the 1920 census of Taylor township, Wilson County: farmer Edward Locus, 37; wife Cora, 27; and children Linwood, 10, Maggie, 9, Beulah, 8, Winnie, 6, Chicken, 4, Delphy, 3, John Ed., 1, and Quinton, 6 months.

In the 1930 census of Taylor township, Wilson County: farmer Ed Locus, 47; wife Cora, 35; and children Linward, 20, Maggie, 19, Ula, 18, Winnie, 17, Alma, 16, Redelpha, 13, John E., 11, Clinton, 10, Kenny, 9, Josephine, 7, Easter, 5, Louise, 4, Frank, 3, and Nancy, an infant.

In the 1940 census of Taylor township, Wilson County: farmer Walter Farmer, 31; wife Maggie, 24; and children Esther [Aleazer], 4, Walter Jr., 3, Clyde, 2, and Cleo, 1.

In the 1950 census of Wilson township, Wilson County: farmer Walter Dew, 41; wife Maggie, 39; and children Aleazer, 15, Walter Jr., 13, Clyde T., 12, Ceala, 11, Robert, 8, Geraldine, 7, Winnie J., 5, Marvin, 3, and Louise, 1.

Photo courtesy of Europe A. Farmer, Free in a Slave Society: The Lucas/Locus Family of Virginia and North Carolina (2006).

The last will and testament of Bushrod Dew.

Bushrod “Bush” Dew executed an unusually detailed will two months before he died in April 1920.

First, he requested a decent burial with “suitable headstones,” which we have seen here.

He then bequeathed his wife Susan Melton Dew a life estate in the house in which they lived, which was situated on one-eighth acre of land. That land was part of a one-acre tract Dew bought from Donaldson [Dollison?] Powell. After Susan Dew’s death, the house and small lot were to pass to their son Van Dew.

Susan Dew was also to receive all household and kitchen furniture. Daughters Nannie Dew, Effie Dew Parker, and Lossie Dew Best received one-quarter acre each from the one acre purchased from Powell.

Bush Dew’s son Van and three daughters were to divide equally 13 acres adjoining the property of Walter Woodard, Wiley Rountree, and others, and Van Dew was to receive the remaining one-eighth acre of the one-acre parcel above.

However, “on account of the unfaithfulness of my son Ed Dew to his parents and on account of his neglect to take advantage of the opportunity of an education which I have tried to give him,” Ed Dew was to receive twenty-five dollars and nothing more.  All other property, other than money, was to be divided among Bush Dew’s daughters.

Any remaining money was to be held in trust for five years, then equally divided among Dew’s daughters and son Van.

For more about Bushrod “Bush” Dew, see here and here and here.

Will of Bush Dew (1920), North Carolina Wills and Probate Records 1665-1998, http://www.ancestry.com.

The last will and testament of Alfred Dew.

Alfred Dew signed an X to his will on 22 June 1910, witnessed by Samuel H. Vick and Elijah L. Reid. (Reid was a close neighbor on Viola Street; Vick lived a block away on East Green Street.) Dew left his wife Laura Dew a life estate in all his property, with a remainder in son R.D. Dew. Sons Jack Dew and Needham Dew were to receive ten dollars each and daughter Martha Alston, sixty dollars.

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On 11 August 1866, Alfred Dew and Susan Dew registered their five-year cohabitation with a Wilson County justice of the peace.

In the 1870 census of Wilson township, Wilson County: Alford Due, 26; wife Susan, 23; and children Jack, 6, Redick, 4, and “no name,” 1 month; plus Oliver Due, 48, Amos Barnes, 23, and Anna Due, 19.

In the 1880 census of Wilson township, Wilson County: farmer Alford Dew, 39; wife Louiza, 35; mother Olivia, 60, widow; and children Jackson, 18, Redick, 16, and George, 15, Needham, 12, and Martha, 10; and niece Hatta, 4. [George was likely George W. White, Louisa’s son from prior relationship.]

On 13 March 1889, Jackson Dew, 25, son of Alfred Dew and Susan Dew, married Maggie Thompson, 22, daughter of Enos and Elis Thompson, at Thompson’s father’s residence.

On 4 December 1889, Alfred Dew, 50, of Wilson township, son of Jack and Olive Dew, married Eveline Mitchel, 35, of Stantonsburg township, daughter of Olive Kilabrew, at F.W. Barnes’ farm, Stantonsburg.

On 4 January 1893, James Alston, 21, son of Charles and Anna Alston, married Martha Dew, 21, daughter of Alfred Dew, in Wilson.

On 17 January 1894, C.D. Dew, 24, of Wilson County, son of Alfred and Susan Dew, married Cora Wells, 18, of Wilson County, daughter of Jason and Ellen Wells, at Jason Wells’ residence in Cross Roads township, Wilson County. [Needham Dew also used the name Cornelius D. Dew.]

On 28 June 1898, Reddick D. Dew, 30, of Wilmington, whose father Alfred Dew lived in Wilson and whose mother Susan was deceased, married Addie J. Cash, 30, daughter of John and Martha Cash of Wilmington.

George White, 34, of Craven County, son of Louisa Dew, married Lucinda Parker, 20, of Craven County, on 27 December 1898 at Jackson Dew’s residence in Wilson township, Wilson County. Alfred Dew applied for the license, and Baptist minister J.T. Deans performed the ceremony in the presence of James T. Alston, L.A. Allen, and Jackson Dew.

On 9 May 1900, Alfred Dew, 55, of Wilson County, son of Jack and Olive Dew, married Margarette Hinton, 48, of Wilson County, at her house in Wilson. Henry Cotton applied for the license, and Baptist minister Fred M. Davis performed the ceremony in the presence of Mamie E. Parker, Lee Simms, and Mary Simms.

In the 1900 census of Wilson township, Wilson County: day laborer Alfred Dew, 50; wife Maggie, 47; sons Hassell, 14, and Will, 13, and stepson Charlie Hinnant, 14, day laborer.

On 4 March 1903, Alford Dew, 56, son of Jackson and Olif Dew, married Laura Watson, 45, at Watson’s residence in Wilson. Charles Oats applied for the license, and Baptist minister Fred M. Davis performed the ceremony.

In the 1910 census of Wilson, Wilson County: on Viola Street, Alfred Dew, 63, street laborer; wife Laura, 54, laundress; and daughter Eva, 13.

On 24 May 1911, Hassell Dew, 26, of Wilson, N.C., son of Alfred Dew and Evalina Kilbrew, married Daisy Robinson, 25, of Winston-Salem, N.C., daughter of Samuel Robinson and Elvira [no maiden name listed], in Manhattan County, New York.

Alfred Dew died 23 August 1910 in Wilson. Per his death certificate, he was about 66 years old; was born in Wilson County to Jackson Dew and Olive Dew; lived on Viola Street; was married; and worked as a common laborer. Martha Aulston was informant, and he was buried in Wilson [likely, Oakdale or Odd Fellows Cemeteries.]

Martha Alston died 3 April 1929 in Wilson. Per her death certificate, she was born 10 March 1871 in Wilson County to Alford Dew and Barbray Woodard; was married to James Alston; lived at 507 East Green Street; and was buried in Wilson [likely, Vick Cemetery]. Rufus Edmundson was informant.

Redick Diew died 6 August 1933 in Wilson. Per his death certificate, he was 3 August 1868 in Wilson County to Alfred and Susan Diew; was a barber; was a widower; and resided at 1108 Wainwright Avenue. Eula Locus of the home was informant.

“Cornelius Dew (nick name) Needham Dew” died 30 July 1944 in Cross Roads township, Wilson County. Per his death certificate, he was born 1 May 1881 in Wilson to Albert [sic] Dew and Susian [maiden name unknown]; was married to Maggie Dew; and worked as a farmer.

Will of Alfred Dew (1910), Wilson County, North Carolina, U.S. Wills and Probate Records, 1665-1998, http://www.ancestry.com.

The estate of David Dew.

When David Dew died about 1862, he left an estate that included seven enslaved people — Everett, Fortin, Rose, Dick, Sally, Gray, and Martha. Dew had neither wife nor children and bequeathed his assets to the children of his brother Larry Dew.

For reasons that are not clear, Dew’s enslaved people were hired out for several years rather than immediately distributed per the terms of his will. Perhaps the plan was to wait until the youngest, Nancy Dew, turned 18 in 1865.

In 1864, Dew’s nephews Jonathan T. Dew, Arthur B. Dew, and William L. Dew hired out the seven.

In January 1865, Joseph Barbee (Harriet Dew’s husband), as agent for W.L. Dew & Bros. hired out four people people; Jonathan T. Dew took in Fortin and Sally; and Edith Barnes Dew (Arthur B. Dew’s wife) took in Martha. The arrangements did not last long — freedom came in April.

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  • Everett

On August 10, 1866, Everett Dew and Sarah Taylor registered their 35-year marriage with a Wilson County justice of the peace.

Iin the 1870 census of Wilson township: farm laborer Everett Due, 58, wife Sarah, 59, and Joseph, 23, and Rachel Due, 18.

  • Fortin and her children Rose, Dick, and Sally

On 27 June 1866, Fortice Dew and George Rountree registered their 21-year marriage with a Wilson County justice of the peace.

In the 1870 census of Taylors township, Wilson County: farmer George Rountree, 70; wife Forte, 66; and children Richd., 23, Rose, 23; Sallie, 19, and Ellis, 4.

On 6 February 1878, Richard Rountree, 25, married Feby Rountree, 20, in Wilson County.

In the 1880 census of Taylors township, Wilson County: Richard Rountree, 30; wife Feeby, 26; and children Lilly, 5, James, 5 months, and stepdaughter Louisa, 11, nurse.

In the 1900 census of Taylors township, Wilson County: farmer Richard Rowntree, 53; wife Feby, 49; and children James, 19, Loula, 11, Richard T., 10, Waren, 7, Ardinia, 5, Martha, 3, and Howard, 1.

On 22 December 1921, Nancy Farmer died in Taylor township, Wilson County. Per her death certificate, she was 96 years old; was born in Wilson County to George Rountree and Forton Rountree; and was the widow of Washington Farmer. Thomas Coleman was informant.

Sallie Rountree died 2 July 1925 in Wilson township, Wilson County. Per her death certificate, she was 80 years old; was born in Wilson County to George Rountree and Fordnet Dew; was single; and was buried in Rountree family cemetery. James Rountree was informant.

On 18 December 1927, Lillie Jones died in Wilson, Wilson County. Per her death certificate, she was 51 years old; was born in Wilson County to Richard Rountree and Phebie Rountree; was married to Josiah Jones; lived on Mercer Street; and was buried in a family cemetery. James Rountree was informant.

Warren Rountree died 24 February 1943 in Wilson, Wilson County. Per her death certificate, he was born 22 June 1894 in Wilson County to Richard Rountree and Phoebe Rountree “before marr.”; was married to Maggie Rountree; worked in a factory; and was buried in Rountree [family] cemetery. Maggie Rountree was informant.

  • Gray
  • Martha

David Dew Estate Records (1862), Wilson County, North Carolina Wills and Probate Records, 1665-1998, http://www.ancestry.com.

Dew children perish in fire.

Wilson Daily Times, 19 December 1911.

It is difficult to know what to take away from this erratum. Unfortunately, the previous day’s paper is not available for details of the Dew children’s tragedy.

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  • Oscar Dew — in the 1910 census of Taylor township, Wilson County: farmer Oscar Dew, 32; wife Annie, 24, farm laborer; children George F., 2, and Bettie M., 5 months; sister-in-law Fannie Strickland, 26, widow, farm laborer; and “sister-in-law son” Sydney Woodard, 10, farm laborer. In the 1920 census, Oscar and Annie Dew’s children were George F., 12, Annie Bell, 5, Rita Bell, 2, and James Arthur, 5 months. Presumably, the children killed in the fire were Bettie and a child born after the 1910 census was taken.
  • Nora Woodard — most likely: in the 1900 census of Taylor township, Wilson County: farmer Alfred Woodard, 69; wife Sarah, 59; daughters Nora, 21, and Francis, 17; and servant Bessa Foard, 19. [It appears that Alfred Woodard died 1900-10 — did Nora inherit farmland from him?] In the 1912 Hill’s Wilson, N.C., city directory: Woodard Norah (c) h s of Cemetery rd nr A C L Ry

Bushrod Dew’s crop lien.

On 17 January 1903, Howard, Graves & Company agreed to advance Bush Dew up to one hundred thirty dollars in supplies to enable Dew to cultivate the land in Wilson township Dew rented from S.H. Morris. In return, Dew gave Howard, Graves a lien on his crop as well as a eleven year-old black mare mule, an iron axle cart, an open buggy and harness, and all his farming implements.

Deed book 66, page 233, Wilson County Register of Deeds Office. 

Dew attends Boys State.

Wilson Daily Times, 12 June 1948.

Billy Dew attended the “colored encampment” of Boys State in 1948.

Here’s William Lyman Dew‘s senior portrait in the 1949 edition of Darden High School’s Trojan yearbook.

William Dew was born 28 October 1931 in Wilson to Irma I. Dew and Edwin Cooke. He joined the United States Air Force in 1951 and, when he married Martha Lucretia Reid of Portsmouth, Virginia, in 1957, was working as an assistant air traffic controller with the Civil Aeronautics Administration at Stapleton Air Field, Denver, Colorado. Dew died in Denver in 1987 and is buried in Rest Haven Cemetery, Wilson.

United States Social Security Applications and Claims Index, 1936-2007, http://www.ancestry.com; Pittsburgh Courier, 3 August 1957, page 15; clipping courtesy of J. Robert Boykin III.